Chimney Repair in Mercer County

Is your chimney giving you grief? Nothing beats relaxing beside a crackling fire, but if your chimney has been acting up, lighting one can be a dangerous undertaking.

For lasting repairs to a wide variety of chimney problems, you can count on Jaime's Construction LLC. With years of experience keeping the chimneys of Mercer County in top form, nobody is more qualified than us to handle any repairs you require.

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Common Chimney Problems

We recommend having your chimney inspected at least once a year to ensure everything is running smoothly. If you’re in between inspections, it’s still smart to keep an eye out for any problems. Here are a few things to look for:

Rust

Rust is a sign of excessive moisture, which is likely due to a leak originating either in your chimney or in the roof.

Smoke

Your chimney is supposed to produce smoke, but if it’s coming out of the sides of the chimney instead of the top, something isn’t working properly.

Cracks

Over time, your chimney may develop cracks in the mortar or bricks. If you notice this, get in touch with us.

How Serious Are Cracks in Chimneys?

When a chimney has cracks, it can lead to issues that are both hazardous and costly.

Here are some reasons you should address chimney cracks as soon as you notice them:

  • They’re a fire hazard: Cracks can allow heat and embers to escape, which can ignite surrounding materials. This can lead to a house fire.
  • They can cause carbon monoxide leaks: Gases can seep through chimney cracks. These gases can make their way into your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • They lead to structural damage: Water can enter through cracks and further deteriorate the chimney’s structure.
  • They result in poor ventilation: Cracks can affect the chimney’s ability to properly vent smoke and gases. The result: reduced indoor air quality.
  • They increase repair costs over time: Delaying repairs can lead to more extensive damage, potentially resulting in expensive masonry work or even a complete chimney rebuild.

How Do You Seal Cracks in Masonry?

Cracks in masonry can be a real eyesore and, if left untreated, might lead to more significant damage.

Here’s how our team expertly handles sealing masonry cracks:

  1. Inspection: We assess the crack’s size, depth, and cause.
  2. Cleaning the area: Before sealing, we clean out any debris, dirt, or loose material from the crack to ensure a strong bond.
  3. Applying the sealant: Using high-quality masonry sealants, we fill the crack evenly to create a long-lasting repair that protects against water and weather damage.
  4. Finishing touches: Once the sealant cures, we smooth the surface and ensure the repair matches the surrounding masonry for a clean, seamless look.

Blockages

One of the more serious problems, a blockage can be caused by many different things. No matter what the root is, getting it removed right away is essential to your safety.

How Often Should Chimneys Be Inspected?

Chimneys should be inspected annually to ensure safety and efficiency. Regular inspections help identify hazards such as creosote buildup, structural damage, or obstructions that may lead to fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.

During a yearly inspection, we can assess the condition of the chimney, clean it if necessary, and recommend any repairs or maintenance needed to keep it functioning properly.

How Do You Inspect a Chimney?

A comprehensive chimney inspection includes:

  • Visual inspection: We examine the chimney’s exterior, noting any cracks, gaps, or other signs of damage.
  • Interior inspection: We use specialized tools and equipment to inspect the inside of the chimney for creosote buildup, blockages, or structural issues.
  • Flue performance test: This test measures how effectively your chimney removes smoke and gases from your home.
  • Assessing safety components: We check all safety components, such as caps, dampers, and liners, to ensure they function correctly.

Why Does Smoke Come Back Into the House From the Fireplace?

Smoke coming back into the house from the fireplace is usually caused by poor draft or airflow issues within the chimney. This can happen when the chimney is blocked by debris, creosote buildup, or even nesting animals, which prevent smoke from exiting properly.

Other common causes include negative air pressure in the home, which pulls smoke back inside, or an improperly sized flue that fails to handle the amount of smoke produced. Cold chimneys can also hinder the upward flow of smoke until they warm up, causing temporary backdrafts.

Why Do Chimneys Have Liners?

The chimney liner is the protective layer inside your chimney. Its main purpose is to safeguard your home from heat transfer and prevent the risk of fires by keeping the heat and combustion processes contained within the chimney. It also protects your chimney’s structure from corrosive byproducts like soot and gases.

Without a properly functioning liner, your home is at a heightened risk of fire, and dangerous gases could enter your living spaces.

How Often Should You Replace Your Chimney’s Liner?

Chimney flue liners typically last between 15 and 20 years. If you’ve lived in your home for 15 years or more, it’s a good idea to have the liner checked and possibly replaced to ensure it meets safety standards.

A damaged chimney flue liner can be a serious hazard. Regular inspections and maintenance can prolong the life of your chimney liner and keep your home safe.

What Is a Spalling Chimney?

Spalling refers to the deterioration of a chimney’s brick surface, where the bricks begin to crumble or peel away. This typically happens when water penetrates the bricks and undergoes freeze-thaw cycles as the weather changes, causing the bricks to crack and flake. Over time, this weakens the chimney’s structure.

If left unchecked, spalling can lead to structural issues, which will require a complete chimney rebuild.

What Is Chimney Repointing?

Over time, the mortar of your chimney can wear away or crack due to weather conditions and age. Repointing removes the old, damaged mortar and replaces it with new mortar to restore strength and integrity. This maintenance task prevents potential water damage and extends your chimney’s lifespan.

Can You Repoint a Chimney Yourself?

Repointing a chimney yourself is possible, but it requires the right tools, knowledge, and safety precautions. The process involves removing and replacing old, damaged mortar with fresh mortar to strengthen the chimney’s structure. While it can save money to do it yourself, working on a chimney can be dangerous due to the height and potential for falling debris. Working with JC LLC ensures trained professionals with experience and safety protocols handle the job.

What Materials Are Used in Chimney Repairs?

Some common materials used include:

  • Mortar: This mixture of sand, water, and cement is used to fill in gaps and cracks in the chimney.
  • Flue liners: These are typically made of clay or metal and help protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosive byproducts.
  • Chimney caps: These are installed at the top of chimneys to prevent rain, debris, and animals from entering while still allowing proper ventilation.
  • Flashings: These metal pieces seal any openings where the chimney meets the roof to prevent leaks.
  • Bricks or stones: In cases of severe damage, individual bricks or stones may need to be replaced to restore the chimney’s integrity.

Chimney Rebuilding

Chimneys can significantly boost the value of your Mercer County home, so if your home has one that isn’t currently in use, Jaime's Construction LLC can restore it so you can take advantage of its benefits. Whenever possible, we will rebuild it using the original materials, so you can enjoy the timeless, classic look of a chimney while ensuring it’s up to code.

If you’ve fallen behind on your chimney maintenance and yours now requires extensive work, don’t worry! We have experience rebuilding chimneys from scratch, so no job is too big for our skilled team.

How Do You Know If Your Chimney Needs To Be Rebuilt?

In some cases, damage may be so extensive that you’ll need to have your entire chimney rebuilt.

Here are some signs that your chimney may need to be rebuilt:

  • Significant spalling and cracking of the bricks
  • Noticeable leaning or tilting of the chimney
  • Deteriorating or missing mortar joints
  • Water leaks in the fireplace or surrounding walls

If you notice any of these issues, reach out to us. Our professional chimney repair experts will assess the situation and determine if a rebuild is necessary.

Trusted Chimney Restoration Company

With the right people taking care of your chimney, it can last for years to come. If you leave repairs up to an inexperienced company though, you can expect to see the same problems come up over and over again. Choosing a company that lacks the right experience never pays off—you may save a bit of money initially, but as time goes on you’ll find yourself paying to have the same issues fixed.

When you start to notice problems with your chimney, don’t waste time with a company that doesn’t know what it’s doing. Go with the company that’s trusted across town thanks to its affordable prices and lasting solutions. Go with Jaime's Construction LLC.

Contact Us Today

Once you work with us once, you’ll understand why so many of our clients have been with us since the very start. Start making the most of your chimney today by getting in touch with Jaime's Construction LLC. When you call, a member of our team can answer any additional questions you may have about our services, as well as provide you with a free, zero obligation quote.

Looking for chimney repair in Mercer County? Contact us at (609) 213-1518.